🟢Back to the Area 🟢 to collect follow up samples in & around #EastPalestine #Ohio. This is our team's 4th trip to the area since mid-February. Updates will be posted below.
Also looking forward to the #science & community sharing event in the coming weeks (in the works).
1/n
Visited a home today along Sulfur Run.
It’s still contaminated.
After moving rocks, the PID read 2.1 ppm (not ppb) coming off the creek.
Background in air was 0-3 ppb
Contractors (paid by someone) seem to have left garbage in Sulfur Run. They didn’t clean up. You can’t tell me the sorbent pad is going to be used again.
Who is overseeing them?
#CareForThePeople
Also saw 1 hay bale in a culvert.
Unclear what it’s purpose is in the culvert.
Contractors were using them for damming up thecontaminated creeks before.
When sampling Sulfur Run, Norfolk Southern contractors and EPA Region 5 EHS lead approached.
Said someone upstream was releasing water raising creek levels 1 foot quickly.
Said they warned everyone.
(Didn’t warn me, or photographer whose been in the area since the disaster)
Was told 2 city workers in the #EastPalestine #Ohio Municipal Building got ill while in their building. Headaches, sore throats, other issues. @OSHA_DOL what did you do for them?
Contaminated Sulfur Run flows directly under the building.
Contractors then flushed the culvert.
I do appreciate EPA R5 EHS person approaching me on-site.
The communication of worker safety risks (and with the public) clearly is not where it needs to be.
Walked by an aeration setup in downtown #EastPalestine and someone walked by shouted not to stand there because it’s poison.
The acrid chemical odor was in the air with a slight breeze.
Lots of contamination remains in the Sulfur Run banks.
When disturbed, you can see it. You can’t use visual observation to know if contamination isn’t there.
2.49 ppm PID signal above that water
0-0.020 ppm in ambient air nearby
@EPA, dredging is being asked for by residents
Windows and doors for homes are sometimes less than 10 ft from the creek.
Some residents complained of headaches and odors in their house when contractors power washed the creeks and installed aerators outside their doors.
At #EastPalestine park there’s a odd looking surfactant like material on the surface. This might be related to the spill/fires.
🙏🏻Had a GREAT meeting with @EPAGreatLakes today in #EastPalestine #Ohio.
A lot of hardworking officials working on behalf of the people. They are in charge of the #disaster recovery.
We shared community concerns directly.
They have A LOT of good things in the works.
I’d say that “train derailment” is a PR description of the #disaster.
It was the Norfolk Southern #chemical spill and chemical #fires that caused harm.
“Train derailments” happen a lot.
Loading up for the day. The joy of research, packing ice bags at the hotel and loading/unloading coolers.
(Elevator creaked due to weight!)
Thanks to all the students who helped prep bottles, supplies, and are ready to analyze the samples when they arrive.
Had a great experience working with Professor @lauryn_spearing @UICnews and #gradstudent Joe on their community research study for the spill and fires in #EastPalestine.
They’ll have a lot to share in the coming weeks!
#Ohio and #Pennsylvania
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